Elite baseball arms: These pitchers have impressed in the South Sound this spring
Arm talent reigns supreme in the postseason. It can be the difference between an early trip home and a team hoisting the state championship trophy. With the playoffs quickly approaching, here’s a look at a group of pitchers in the South Sound that have stood out this spring.
MICAH BUJACICH, RHP — Steilacoom, sr.
The skinny: UW commit keeps opposing hitters off balance with fastball and nasty slider, which sits just a few miles per hour off his high-80s fastball. Throws a fastball, slider, changeup and sinker. Plays with a competitive edge that he attributes to late teammate Reese Widman.
Stats: 39.1 innings pitched, 5-1 record, 0.35 ERA, 75 strikeouts, six walks.
Best pitch: Slider.
Coach Corey Widman: “He is a gamer. There isn’t a moment too big. He always expects and believes we will win. … Nobody was asked to do more after Widdy passed than him and he has answered every challenge.”
COLTYN CLARK, RHP — Rogers, jr.
The skinny: Rogers’ top right-hander has limited opponents to one earned run or fewer in all but one qualified start, including a pair of consecutive complete-game shutouts on March 21 and March 29. Four-seamer touches 90 mph, plus a slider and changeup with equally-good command. One of the area’s more consistent options for a competitive team in a stacked 4A SPSL.
Best pitches: Fastball, slider.
Stats: 33 innings pitched, 4-1 record, 1.91 ERA, 43 strikeouts, eight walks.
Coach Matt Whitehead: “He has great composure. He attacks the zone. He’s not afraid to throw any (pitch) in any count. … He was great for us last year, but nothing like now. He’s really matured, and just taken on being a dude on the mound. It’s fun to watch someone continue to grow, and I’m glad he’s only a junior.”
NICK FAZIO, RHP — Emerald Ridge, sr.
The skinny: A whiz at changing speeds, Fazio’s 92-mph four-seamer keeps hitters on their toes before an 81-mph slider sweeps them off their feet. Emerald Ridge’s “team leader,” Fazio’s best start was a complete-game two hitter (zero earned runs) in a rivalry win over Sumner on April 3. Washington State commit mixes changeup for a three-pitch arsenal.
Best pitches: Fastball, slider.
Stats: 33 ⅓ innings pitched, 5-2 record, 2.52 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, 27 strikeouts, 13 walks.
Coach Justin O’Keefe: “When he’s on, when both pitches are on, he’s a tough guy. Just a tough guy to get good contact (against). … He’s our team leader. You won’t find a more-competitive guy out there with more fire. He wants to win. That’s his mentality when he takes the mound. All he wants to do is take the ball and win.”
KARSTEN HANSEN, LHP — Capital, sr.
The skinny: Dropped down to more of a 3/4 arm slot this year, which has paid dividends. Throws a low-80s fastball, curveball and changeup. Fastball has good run and curveball location has been deadly. Opposing hitters are batting .194 off Hansen this season and just .152 in 3A SSC play.
Stats: 37 innings pitched, 5-2 record, 2.83 ERA, 40 strikeouts, 13 walks
Best pitch: Fastball.
Coach Brian Shannon: “He’s been successful this year because he has been able to throw all three of his pitches in any count to keep hitters off balance and he has attacked the strike zone.”
ADAM JAY, LHP — Tahoma, jr.
The skinny: When Tahoma needs a quality start, Jay has stepped up time and time again and delivered over the course of his high school career. Throws a mid-80s fastball, slider, splitter and changeup. The fastball has a ton of movement and induces a lot of swing and misses.
Stats: 28.1 innings pitched, 3-1 record, 2.47 ERA, 39 strikeouts, 13 walks.
Best pitch: Fastball.
Coach Brett Jaime: “What separates him is that he is a great big-game pitcher. It began his freshman year, when on five minutes notice in a winner-to-state game against an Olympia that would eventually win the state title, he pitched a great game and left in line for the win.”
LIAM KARLSON, RHP — Tumwater, sr.
The skinny: If Tumwater wins its third 2A state title in a row this spring, this ace will be a major reason why. Throws a mid 80s fastball, a change up and slider. Very good command. Changeup is a weapon with a lot of run and late sink.
Stats: 26.1 innings pitched, 4-0 record, 0.26 ERA, 29 strikeouts, five walks.
Best pitches: Fastball, changeup.
Coach Lyle Overbay: “He is a competitor. Pounds the zone on the corners. Locates well down in the zone. Gets a lot of weak ground balls.”
COOPER MARKHAM, RHP — Enumclaw, jr.
The skinny: Calm, cool and collected on the mound, this hard-throwing Oregon commit has the Hornets in the 2A state title hunt this spring. Fastball sits in the high 80-to-low-90 mph range, topping out at 93 this spring. Throws a tough 12-6 curveball, too.
Best pitches: Fastball, curveball.
Stats: 25.1 innings pitched, 4-1 record, 0.83 ERA, 41 strikeouts, eight walks.
Coach Eric Fiedler: “Has a professional-like demeanor and never appears rattled. When he struggles with command, he can get by because he is effectively wild, which can make him even tougher to hit. Split and other secondary pitches can further develop because of his athletic build and large hands.”
CHRISTOPHER MOORE, RHP — Kentlake, soph.
The skinny: The UW commit is only a sophomore, but Moore’s command and true three-pitch mix already makes him one of the state’s more polished prospects. Moore has notched a season-high 14 strikeouts twice, using improved two-seamers and sliders to complement a four-seam fastball that touches 88 mph.
Best pitches: Fastball, slider (slurve).
Stats: 28 innings pitched, 3-1 record, 0.75 ERA, 0.964 WHIP, 52 strikeouts, 11 walks.
Coach Mike Suguro: “He’s got plus-stuff. … He can sink it, he can ride it at the top of the zone, and then he’s got plus breaking stuff as well. He’s not just a thrower, like most high-velo guys in this area. He can really pitch.”
KAEDEN MORGAN, LHP — Auburn Riverside, soph.
The skinny: With playoffs approaching, Morgan is on the upswing. Auburn Riverside’s top arm surrendered three total runs in his last two starts (14 innings). Mixes fastball with plenty of arm-side run with changeups and breaking balls, to boot. Notched a season-high seven strikeouts in a complete game over Kentlake, a state contender, on April 3.
Best pitches: Fastball, changeup.
Stats: 33 ⅔ innings, 5-1 record, 1.66 ERA, 1.160 WHIP, 32 strikeouts, 10 walks
Coach Brad Comstock: “His composure… he’s never rattled on the mound. Always in charge. Always cool, calm, collected. Always wants the ball.”
MASON PIKE, RHP — Puyallup, jr.
The skinny: Pike is one of the state’s most electric pitchers and is one of the top recruits in Washington in the 2025 class. Fastball sits between 90 and 95 miles per hour. A national recruit and potential early-round 2025 MLB Draft selection. Oregon State commit.
Stats: 34.1 innings pitched, 5-1 record, 1.63 ERA, 48 strikeouts, 13 walks.
Best pitches: Fastball, slider.
Coach Marc Wiese: “We’ve never had a kid throw 95 at Puyallup in my last 29 years here. … He’s able to spot his fastball a lot more this year.”
TRACE PRUITT, RHP — Olympia, jr.
The skinny: Pruitt is sitting under 10 walks so far this season, a result of his impeccable command. Throws a fastball, curve, slider and changeup. Spots his fastball well, so he hasn’t had to use his changeup much this season, but should factor in more often at the next level. New slider has quickly become his most dangerous offspeed pitch. Has given up just four earned runs in his past five starts. UW commit.
Stats: 32.2 innings pitched, 2-0 record, 0.86 ERA, 40 strikeouts, eight walks.
Best pitches: Fastball, slider.
Coach Derek Weldon: “The slider is new and becoming a weapon for him. He’s got great stuff, tremendous command and competes incredibly hard.”
